Jesus Christ Superstar question?

Question

I am in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar and I am having a problem.I wanted to be in this because I love to sing and dance and I have always loved Andrew Lloyd Webber.I am not Christian.Some of the people in the show are really involved with the religion of the show and say things about other religions that are offensive. They also talk about their Christian religion so often as if everyone in America is Christian.I wanted to make new friends and be in a fun after work activity.But all of this religious stuff is making me really upset. A lot of them are prejudice and say bad things about other religions not knowing what I am in my faith. I am religious and spiritual just not Christian.I also didn't realize people do this show for those religious reasons anyway. What should I do? I feel that I don't want to be friends with the new friends I have made during this show.I want to be in other shows with this company so I can't be too upset around everyone.

Answer 1

Go to your director.  Do not complain about the show itself and do not give specific names.  Just let your director know that some cast members are saying offensive things.  However if this is a volunteer production, the director may tell you to "suck it up".  You have to realize when you go into any production that you may meet people with different ideas and opinions than you.  Actors (usually) are very open and do not hesitate to express themselves and their beliefs.  There is nothing wrong, if the time arises, to let someone know that you (respectfully) disagree.  However religion is a touchy subject, you should have prepared yourself for that when you went into a show about Jesus (think twice about doing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, In the Beginning, or Children of Eden).

If you plan to work with the company again, you're going to have to simply suck it up.  If you're in a small community, then you are probably acting with "the company".  Did these actors ONLY come out for this show?  You will probably be acting with them again in other shows and their opinions and beliefs will be the same.  So my advice.  Go to the director (but be prepared to face possible back lash if anyone finds out it was you) or suck it up and audition again later.  

I don't mean to sound callous, but this is something you will  have to deal with for the rest of your life (not just in this situation).  I've been in theatre for over 15 years.  I'm a conservative, you can imagine the views some of my "theatre friends" and I don't see eye to eye on.  I have to put that aside and realize that no one is perfect and they are still friends worth having.  I'm sorry you're having a bad experience, but this was perhaps not the best show for you, it obviously has Chrisitian themes and overtones...I mean it IS about Jesus.  Although several years ago many people found this show sacriligeous, many Christians and churches are embracing it now.  You are right to be offended by the offhand comments of other religions, and it is NOT a Christian principal to make fun of others or their religion.  Those who are doing so need to take another look at the bible and the teachings of Jesus.  However, I'm sure that there are some TRUE Christians in the show.  I find it hard to believe that EVERYONE in the show is doing this.  In that case it is perfectly acceptable that they are proud that they have found Christ and are living for him.  There is nothing wrong with that nor with proclaiming it.  (Just as there is nothing wrong with YOU and whatever you believe.)  Please don't lump all Christians in one category because you are having a problem with some misguided people who call themselves Christian.  There IS a difference.

Answer 2

Oh, for the love of...........

Boy, did YOU ever join the wrong production.

The Show is the Show. Religion ain't got nuttin' to do with it.

If the impetus of this Company's decision to do this Show is to disseminate the Word, RUN! FAST!

If your castmates are denigrating other faiths (which the Show does not), they are there for the totally wrong reasons. To re-iterate: the Show is the Show. Sing and dance, and keep matters of faith in the church, where they belong.

This particular ALW Show can get dicey, for just that reason.While I applaud the evangelical spirit of Christianity, it has no place on the Boards.

If you are not an adherent to the tenets of Christianity, so what? What bearing does that have on your ability to perform the Show?

You need to find a different Company.